i have the 2012 edge 15m and weigh 150lbs/67kg. I can ride with a shinn monk in about 11-13kts with speed. I use an airush sector as well and do just fine in 9-10knts....typically our light days are in the 8-12knts with lulls to 5-6.

i have heard the 2013 edges turn noticeably faster in the larger sizes. probably can eek a little more out of the new version with the faster turning but i would imagine it is similar in low end . the kites generate apparent wind really well so there is a certain way they like to be flown. i think the performance gains in 2013 are from the lighter weight in the tips and the kites being able to generate power better when climbing through the window when it is really light wind.

I have a 2013 15m edge. I rig it when avg breeze is 10 to 12 mph. I ride it with a mid size twin tip or Sector and weigh 170 lbs. I've been very lucky in my half dozen sessions and have never had the wind fall much below 10 or go much above 15, so I can't advise as to handling at the limits. Upwind performance is amazing. Speed builds gradually and apparent wind shifts forward. Relaunch is OK, but not great as you would expect with high aspect ratio. My only complaint is the slow turning speed, but again, that is to be expected with the high aspect ratio.

Here is an overhead video taken by Jeff from his paramotor. Wind was 10-12 mph. I really did not feel very powered up, but board speed was pretty good.

fs3 wrote:Hey thanks for this very honest and realistic response..
And what is, at your weight, the top end of the 15 (2012)

i have had my edge out in 12-20 maybe with some gusts just over 20. still felt ok. however, i had it out in 10-15 and then the wind turned on to 20-25. fully depowered and still getting lifted. i had to bring it into a cove and flag it out to safety. i was definitely uncomfortable.

i think it goes just fine if there is a gust over 20 but sustained wind gusting to 25 it was WAY WAY too much kite.

I have prob over 25 sessions on my 15 and for me my low end is about 12-15 mph and my top end is about 25-28 mph. My board is a xenon infra 138 and I weigh 188 pounds down from 215:). I generally ride at elevations over 6000 feet asl. I am not convicted that bigger is better. One time at the sandbar in the gorge I was the only one riding cause of light wind and i was on a 10 meter turbo diesel and a homemade plyboard. Others on 17's and surfboards were going nowhere. Another day I was on my 15 meter edge 2012 and flying circles around everybody but a 95 pound skinny chick. These were people on fly surfers with line extensions. The key to light wind IMO is a kite that turns fast to get you up to speed then builds good apparent wind. Can you say ozone edge!!! I have some videos of going big on the edge but all on snow. Check out "Jackson hole Kiters" on Vimeo. Jmo as a ozone rider!